Dental group’s free clinics in demand
Long drives and long lines attest to the need for dental care for North Carolinians during an economic downturn and to the need for the N.C. Missions of Mercy program offered through the North Carolina Dental Society, the group’s executive director told the Rotary Club of Kinston on March 28.
“We’ve seen an increase in the number of people who show up for our clinics,” Alec Parker said, citing rising unemployment as a factor in the increased need for the free, mobile dental care the program provides. “You would be amazed at how far these people will drive and how long they will wait.”
Since 2009, the N.C. Dental Society has operated Missions of Mercy through its nonprofit arm, the N.C. Dental Health Fund, assuming administrative duties from the private dentists who founded it in 2003. During its nine-year life, Missions of Mercy has offered 101 clinics and served about 46,200 patients with dental care valued at $19 million.
A typical clinic runs three days with dental professionals and community volunteers — including ECU and UNC dental students — manning 80 to 85 chairs, providing cleanings, fillings, extractions and dental lab services.
Even with free help, each clinic costs about $75,000 to stage. The group offered 12 clinics last year, but reduced to six this year due to costs.
Kinston Rotary Club meets at 1 p.m. Thursdays at King’s Restaurant.
Bridge club names winners
The Fairfield Duplicate Bridge Club played a regular game April 9.
The winners were: Edith Cahn and Dayle Pond, first place; Jenny Holt and Eva Balknight, second; Joe Goldwasser and Nancy Barwick, third; and Geneva Hood and Pinkey Harper, fourth.
A regular game will be played at 9:50 a.m. Tuesday at Fairfield Center. The club welcomes and encourages all bridge players.
For more club information, call 252-523-6791.
Lecture, reception today at library
Literary lecturer Elliot Engel will give his 50th presentation in Kinston at 3 p.m. today in the Schechter Auditorium of the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library, 510 N. Queen St.
In ‘The Vanderbilts: All of Them,’ Engel will trace this American dynasty, from Cornelius, born in the 18th century, to Gloria of the designer jeans. A wine and cheese reception will follow the lecture, sponsored by Friends of the Library, both of which are free and open to the public.
For more information, call 252-527-7066, ext. 130.